Expert: John L - 8/22/2009

Question
John,
This question is regarding my Step-son (21) who is a Navy Corpsman who has been assigned to a Marine unit. I reared him from age 7. With our consent and consultation, he joined the Navy upon graduation from high school. His Mother and I were totally dependent upon the information provided by the Navy recruiter when he joined as we have no military background or friends who do. Neither of us (or him) had any idea he was in de facto joining the Marines and would have never consented or advised accordingly if so. My father served in the Navy as a volunteer during World War II and I had some knowledge of Navy duty. My Step-son is now being told his Marine unit is shipping out to Afghanistan in October and his mother is hysterical with fear for his safety. We have since divorced but remain emotionally committed to each other and she is single with basically without any family or support system except for him. His service will bear out his character, work ethic, and dedication to his comrades and country. What can be done to alter this situation? Thanks in advance for your advice?
Tom


Answer
Basically, the Marines are part of the Navy and the Navy works hand in hand with the Marines.  the marines have no medical people so the Navy provides them.  He will be his unit "doc" which is a great honor and will be well protected by the marines.  he will live his duty and his responsibility and will probably be the greatest thing he has ever done in his life.  I have known many of Navy corpsman in the past, and that is what I have come to understand about them.  He would not have been chosen to be part of the Marines support if he was not really good at what he does.  She should feel proud.  No job in the military is safe, by its very nature it is, even being on a ship in the middle of the ocean.

Any Service member from any branch can be chosen to work with another branch from the US or any of its allies.  

Though  understand her fear, she should be at ease that he is doing something worth while.


Added:

There is no solution to the problem, in reality is not a problem, just emotions.  The only way for him out of it is to go AWOL, and I am sure noone would want that.